THESSALONIKI, Greece — The metro in Thessaloniki, a city in northern Greece, officially commenced operations on Saturday, introducing a modern transport system featuring driverless trains. A significant number of residents, despite facing inclement weather with strong winds and rain, gathered outside the metro stations, eager to experience the new service firsthand.
The initial subway line, consisting of 13 stations, quickly filled with passengers excited to explore this enhanced mode of transportation within their city. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, along with President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras, symbolically initiated the metro’s operations by pressing a blue button, marking a milestone that many considered long overdue.
Reflecting on the project’s troubled history, Mitsotakis noted that preliminary funding for the excavation of the metro was included in the 1976 budget. The venture faced numerous delays, including a prominent 1999 announcement during the city’s international trade fair, which claimed the metro would soon be operational. However, ongoing court disputes, canceled contracts, property conflicts, and challenges arising from archaeological sites led to significant halts in progress. While some train carriages finally arrived in 2019, previous government officials had to celebrate an “inauguration” with the trains displayed on concrete platforms without the tracks being ready for travel.
The funding for the overall project reportedly exceeded 3 billion euros, largely due to these extensive delays, according to Staikouras. Upon entering the Eleftherios Venizelos station located in the heart of Thessaloniki, passengers can view a fascinating collection of over 300,000 archaeological artifacts uncovered during construction. Archaeologists discovered remnants of what was once the city’s busiest street dating back to the 6th century, rich with shops and commerce at that time.
Prior to the completion of tunneling and construction of the station, many voices were raised in protest over the temporary relocation of several significant archaeological finds. Additionally, some artifacts have been placed on public display outside a nearby station, preserved under glass for all to see.
Transportation officials predict that the operation of the metro will lead to a reduction of approximately 57,000 cars daily within Thessaloniki, a city frequently grappling with congestion. They anticipate that around 254,000 passengers will use the metro daily, within a broader metropolitan area housing over a million residents, making Thessaloniki Greece’s second-largest city.
Future expansions of the metro system are in the works, with an eastward extension set to include five new stations anticipated to be operational by 2025. Plans also call for a westward expansion; however, it may take several additional years before the metro service reaches the bustling Macedonia Airport.
